Racing: Awe of Wonder

DESPITE pounds 18,000 in added prize- money, only three trainers have been brave enough to take on Wonder Man, one of the season's most exciting novices, in Ascot's PML Lightning Chase on Friday.

David Nicholson's eight-year- old takes in this race as part of his build up to the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival and should not be unduly troubled to beat the David Elsworth-trained Kibreet, Steve Kettlewell's Valiant Boy and Ian Campbell's Reggae Beat.

On the same card, and formerly from the same stable, the 1991 Gold Cup winner Garrison Savannah, sidelined for more than 13 months, may make his comeback in a handicap hurdle.

Jenny Pitman has been thwarted by the weather in recent attempts to get the 10-year-old back to the course. The Lambourn trainer has also entered her King George VI Chase third, The Illywhacker, for the First National Handicap Chase on the same programme. Captain Dibble, Gambling Royal and Very Very Ordinary are possible rivals.

Today's card at Lingfield has been abandoned due to waterlogging.